China’s One-Child Policy Leads to Elder Care Crisis
The first generation of only children in mainland China is approaching the age of 30. Looming ahead, as the Chinese society ages, are challenges of elder care falling on the shoulders of too few.
A recent online post, which was reposted on nearly ten thousand Chinese websites, expresses the sentiment of only children born after 1980:
"The burden of elder care is like a huge mountain on the back of every child in a one-child family. In childhood, we enjoyed the most undivided attention from our parents. But as adults, we are made to suffer the most. When we are in our 30s and 40s, our parents will be quite elderly, and we will become the most exhausted group on this planet."
At the end of 2009, 12.5 percent, or more than 167 million Chinese were over the age of 60, and approximately 19 million were over the age of 80.
About 9.4 million had no resources to take care of themselves.
Owing to the implementation of the one-child policy 30 years ago, many families now consist of one child, two parents, and four grandparents.
Without a state-funded welfare system to care for the aging, Chinese families have traditonally looked to their children and grandchildren for support in their old age. Today this puts a heavy burden on the one child who is expected to provide emotional comfort, and physical and financial assistance to as many as six elders.
In addition, young adults are often forced to seek employment in other cities, leaving their ailing parents or grandparents with no one to look after them.
A study by the China Research Center on Aging shows that nearly half of the elderly in urban areas do not live with their children. Even in rural areas, the rate is almost as much, at approximately 40 percent.
Read more at the Epoch Times..
